What is Vegan Wine? An Essential Guide for Plant-Based Menu Planning
A lot of wine hasn’t been touched directly by animal products, but that doesn’t mean it’s certifiably vegan. Here’s what you need to know.
Source: Vendors
Outspoken Italian winery owner Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni is a wine pioneer in the plant-based food movement. He turned vegetarian at age 15, eventually went fully vegan, and more than a decade ago extended that commitment to Querciabella, his now-organic and biodynamic Chianti Classico family estate.
“I didn’t want to be part of the way conventional agriculture devastates the environment and abuses animals,” he says. “We removed all animal products from every aspect of our winemaking process, including the vineyards. You don’t need them to make great wine.” The proof is in his reds and pricy white, which have steadily become livelier, more vibrant, and more intense.